IPCPR 2017: Top 3 Things – Brooks Whittington Edition

Last year, we debuted a new feature as part of halfwheel’s coverage of the IPCPR Convention & Trade Show where each member of the staff puts together a list of the top three most interesting, cool or exciting things we saw at the event. As was the case last year, there are no specific rules, just whatever managed to catch our eyes in the manic dash around the trade show floor every day.

1. Island Jim BBQ Pineapple Pork Sticks — I find it ironic that one of the most interesting things at a cigar show was a pork product, but that is the case. Developed by “Island” Jim owner Jim Robinson, the sticks are made with pork and pineapples, and will cost around $2 per stick.

Patrick Lagreid gave me one to try on one of our many times back at the home base, and I loved it so much I went back for a sample of my own. However, I just have one idea to add if Jim is reading: a limited edition version with habanero peppers.

2. Visol Landon Carbon Fiber Mini Cigar Case — The idea there are enough people willing to pay $140 for a carbon fiber case that can only hold petite corona cigars might be a bit hard to believe, but Visol Products apparently thinks there is merit in the idea, as they have one on sale for that exact amount.

As would be expected, the case is small and extremely light, and would easily fit in the pockets of someone’s jeans if they were so inclined. Throw in the fact they it looks awesome and is virtually indestructible, and it is a winner, at least for someone who smokes enough petite cigars to make it a worthwhile purchase.

3. Scrim By HutcH Cutters — Artist Rick Hutchings uses the body of a XIKAR Xi3 as a based for his creations, and these have to be seen to be believed.

I am actually pretty impressed with how much detail can be put on each cutter considering the small amount of real estate there is available, and xx uses all sorts of exotic materials to make his creations, including 10,000-year-old mammoth ivory, buffalo horn and even Maker’s Mark barrels. Yes, they are quite expensive, but each one is truly a work of art, and it is easy to see why Hutchings has garnered the accolades that he has.

Davidoff is the official sponsor of halfwheel's coverage of the 2017 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show.

I have been smoking cigars for over eight years. A documentary wedding photographer by trade, I spent seven years as a photojournalist for the Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star Telegram. I started the cigar blog SmokingStogie in 2008 after realizing that there was a need for a cigar blog with better photographs and more in-depth information about each release. SmokingStogie quickly became one of the more influential cigar blogs on the internet, known for reviewing preproduction, prerelease, rare, extremely hard-to-find and expensive cigars. I am a co-founder of halfwheel and now serve as an editor for halfwheel.

CigarStateofTexas

#s 1 and 3 are about the kitchiest items at the show. #2 is a colossal waste of money.

Gaspar Kazmar

No cigars?

Brooks Whittington

I was not able to actually smoke any new cigars from start to finish during the show, so can’t give you an opinion on any of them as of yet. ~bw.